I've read the review thread and saw a few people commenting on the excellent graphics for Silent Hill 2. I have to say I'm confused...
I haven't played more than 30 minutes of the game so far, and I'm not sure I'll play it again. The entire game is covered in fog? Is this true? It seems like a really artificial device/cop-out for the graphics and atmosphere.
Granted, I haven't played much, and I also never played the first Silent Hill. Basically, I'd like to know if this is all there is to it. Anyone care to persuade me to give it another chance? So far the heavy fog has just irritated me every time I start playing

I haven't played more than 30 minutes of the game so far, and I'm not sure I'll play it again. The entire game is covered in fog? Is this true? It seems like a really artificial device/cop-out for the graphics and atmosphere.

Yep, definitely never played Silent hill before
Dont fret Kevin. The fog is supposed to be there. The first Silent Hill was of course developed for the Playstation 1. It was a big undertaking at the time since they wanted to create a large town but the lack of power the PS1 provided forced the developers to use the fogging to hide the pop-up. In the process the developers used the fog to thier advantage and integrated that into the storyline. Silent Hill is a ghost town that has been covered in fog for a reason (If you want to know how and why it came to be like this you will need to either play through SH1 or read a plot guide for the game at www.gamefaqs.com).
Silent Hill 2 on the other hand was designed from the ground up to incorporate the fogging effect into both the Playstation 2 and the X-box versions of the game.(Volumetric fogging as it is called) Both systems are more than capable of rendering the backgrounds without the fogging but thats not the point of the game. The fog is meant to add atmosphere and a sense that you dont know whats out there. The further you get into the game the more you start run across enemies that you can hear, but you cant see. You will also find a radio that will emit static noise when an enemy is near. It all helps to build tension and create a very dreary and dark atmosphere. to be honest by the time you get done playing Silent Hill 2 you will be exhausted. The dreariness of it all will get to you.
To further assuage your fears later into the game you will explore several apartment complexes, a hospital, a prison. (You will do all of your exploring by flashlight in complete darkness. No fog. Eventually you will yearn for the light). You will be running from things in a completely dark Silent Hill with no fog. (The prison will make you scared! I dont care how much of a man you think you are. You will be frightened). There is allot to see and do in Silent Hill. The 3d modeling of the environments are are excellent IMO and the noise/grain effect adds even more atmosphere.
Suggestions for playing:
-No lights. Zero. None!
-A good surround sound system
-Play alone
-Play at night
-Make the place/room you are playing cold (it helps)
Its hard to not want to play through and complete the game but let me tell you outright that Silent Hill is a game that is about atmosphere first and foremost. Follow those suggestions and you will be enjoying (or not enjoying) the scariest game out there.

Kevin, don't forget that in the Xbox version, you can turn off the film grain effect. Personally, I like it on, but you may find this makes the fog less bothersome. Don't give up on the game just yet, it really is worth playing through all the way at least once.

I know the grain effect was for atmosphere and all, but I found I liked it better with it off. I found that I could enjoy the graphics much more and it really didn't seem to affect the atmosphere, IMO.

Aaron

You don't remember because back then it was only a prophecy, but now, in the future, the past has occurred. - A.T.H.F.

I know the grain effect was for atmosphere and all, but I found I liked it better with it off. I found that I could enjoy the graphics much more and it really didn't seem to affect the atmosphere, IMO.

Thats cool Aaron. I of course am inthe opposite camp. I can't play the game without the grain effect. Everything looks far to clean and IMO it takes away from the dreary atmosphere.

Thats the good thing about the game. At the very least you can choose how you want to play. Different strokes....

That's cool Aaron. I of course am in the opposite camp. I can't play the game without the grain effect. Everything looks far to clean and IMO it takes away from the dreary atmosphere.

I think that's the reason I did like it. I liked the clean crisp graphics. I played with it on for a while and then arbitrarily decided to turn it off one day. I was like having dirt washed out of my eyes or something. I was amazed how much better everything looked. So I left it off.

But I agree, the option to have it on or off was very nice.

Aaron

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Click to expand...

You don't remember because back then it was only a prophecy, but now, in the future, the past has occurred. - A.T.H.F.